Process and apparatus for preparing the heel end of a sole



NOV. 27, 1934. A, BRAUER ET AL 1,981,899

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING THE HEEL END OF A SOLE Filed Jiine 22, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED PROCESS AND: APPARATUS Eon PREPARING THE HEEL END of A SOLE' Arthur J. Brauer and Frederick P. Wagner,

St. Louis, Mo.

Application June 22, 1929, Serial No. 372,846

12 Claims. o1.*12 s1.5)

This invention relates to processes and mecha- '.nism for operating onv shoe soles, and more particularly for preparing the heelend of 'a sole.

In the manufactureof shoes, and more particularly. ladies shoes; it is the practice to marginally recess 1311818018 at the heel end and to even chamfer the same in order to provide a heel seat. It is desirable, however, that the shoulders formed at the ends. of the marginal recesses terminate at the breast line, even, where a wooden heel, having a forward extension at the heel seat, isemployed. Accordingly, it is the practice, after the formation of: the heel seat as described, to position the heel on the shoe, mark the breast linethereon and then .to trim the sole marginsat the ends of the breast line, so that when theheelis positioned on the shoe, the sole edges willform in effect a continuation of the heeLand particularly of the forward extension of. a wooden heel. This operation is usually performed by hand in cases where the marginally reduced sole portion at the heel It is desirable that" a heel, and more 'partica ularly a high heel, be accurately positioned on the heel seat, notonly for appearance sake, but also to form an accurately placed support for the heel. This is not only a difiicult operation on engaging and preferably clamping therebetween account ofthe height of wooden heels, but where ashoe is at this timelon' the last, it is difficult to tack the heel in place, as this tacking cannot be performed from the inside at suchance with one embodiment of this invention, the clamping elements are'in the form of cotime. The sole of a shoe employing a'wooden heel is ordinarily provided with a flap split from the wearing surface, and the end ofwhich flap is laid against the breast to form a finishedbottom, as Well as to serve, at least to some extent, the purpose. of holding the heel on the shoe.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide method and means for preparing the heel end of a sole, whereby the" heel can be readily located and Seven secured in' a simple and effective manner.

Another object is to provide method and means whereby the operationof providing heellocating means is combined. with means for cutting through the sole marginat the ends 'of the breastlline and whereby these operations may be performed in an expeditious, accurate and neat manner.

Further objects will appear from the detail description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in.which-'- Figures 1, 2, Band 4 areperspective views of the heel end of a shoe, illustrating the various operations for preparing the heel end of a sole and for securing the sole thereto;

Figure 5 is a plan view, showing the elements for supporting thesole at its'margin and for performing the operation of raisinga shoulder onthe sole while so supported;

Figure 6 is a section on the'line 6-6 Figure 15, but showing also the co-operating clamping line 7--7, Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a section through a machine embodying this invention; 1 Figure-9 is a detail front elevation of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a detail side elevation of Figure 9;

'. Figure 11 is a plan of Figure 10;

- Figure 12 is a detail side elevation of a pair of clamping and cutting elements; and" .Figure 13 is a section on the line 1313 of Figure 12.

In accordance with this invention, a heellocating shoulder is formed on the sole in such a manner that theheel can be located and even held thereby. This is accomplished by 'a' suitable forming element, such as a chisel, which moves .into the sole in a direction. towards'the toe, so

as to raise the shoulder. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the sole is positioned with a definite point thereon, such as the breast line located with reference to the forming element or chisel; the sole, while on the shoe; is. then clamped as by clamping means operatingv cutters, between which the sole is positioned with the ends of the breast line -in.alinement with the cutting edges; by operation of these cutting means, the cutting ele- -rhents are, after having performed their function of clamping the sole while the shoulder is formed, actuated to cut through the sole in order to accurately form the shoulders at the ends'of the marginal recess, and which shoulders are to terminate at the breast line.

Various mechanisms may be employed for performing this process, and it may even be :performed by elemental devices or simple manipulations. The process is, however, best performed by suitable mechanism. In' accordance with one embodiment 'of this invention, the pair of supporting and cutting'elements extend inwardly and are shaped to enter the crease between.the

breast line 9 marked thereon.

terminate along thebreast line. operations are preferably performed while the shoe is still on the last. The flap '7 can now be laid and. cemented against the heel breast and cutting elements are additional cutting elements which serve the function of first clamping the sole therebetween and thereafter cutting through the sole margin at the ends of the breast line. A suitable forming element, such as a chisel, is arranged to operate in timed relation with these cutting elements in order to dig into the sole and raise a shoulder thereon while the sole margins are simply clamped; thereafter the cutting elements co-operate with the supporting and cutting elements to cut through the sole margin at the ends of the breast line. The supporting and cutting elements are shaped to conform to the breast line. Means is provided for relatively adjusting the supporting and cutting elements so as to not only adapt the mechanism to various sizeshoes, but also to permit more ready insertion of the. shoe for operation thereon by the mechanism.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, 1 designates a shoe having its upper. turned over. the heel seat, as shown at 2, and 3 indicates a, sole which is provided with a marginally reduced end 4 providing a heel seat for the heel 5. 'This operation of forming the heel -seat is performed in any suitable manner, and

the heel end of the sole issecured by tacks 6,

the heel seat being also chamfered usual.

Where a high heel is employed, the sole 3 has a chap 7, which is later laid against the breast of :the. heel. :The heel 5, where a wooden heel, also has a forward extension 8. In accordance with ';.this invention, afterthe formation of the heel seat, the heel. is fitted on the heel seat and the In accordance with this invention, a heel-locating shoulder 10 lea-formed on thesoleas by striking up a tongue from the body of the sole, but in a position that when the-heel, is again positioned on the shoe, the forward extension will take under this tongue sees not only tobe positioned thereby, but also the-firmly held and particularly against tipping backwards. At this time and in a manner here- .inaiter described, the sole margins are also cut .01 zuotched to remove the shaded pieces 11 (Figure 1) so that, the marginal recess will now All of these contoured thereto and the heel secured in any -suitable manneras by nails 12. As the shoulder ..or tongue 10 is now underneath the flap, it

will be entirely concealed while serving its inirReferring particularly .to Figures 5 to 13,

inclusive, 20 designates a base having mounted thereon supports 21 and 22. supports .has in turn mounted thereon a sup- .portingand cutting blade 23, each of which is 1 Each of these beveled so as lJOtI'EELdilY enter the crease between the uppenand'the sole, as shown in Figure 6,

and the cutting edges of which are shaped so as tocut out the pieces 11 from the sole margin at the. ends of and along the breast line.

Cooperating with these supporting and cutting elements'is apair of cutters 24, which conform to the supporting and cutting elements 1 23. Each .of these cutting elements 24 is mounted on a block 25 guided for movement by pins .26. andxby additionalpins inside the springs construction of these elements;

2'7, which serve to hold the blocks 25 in raised position; it being understood that these pins move in guiding holes in the supports 21 and 22 so as to guide the elements 24 as they approach and recede from the elements 23. The

support 22 is guided for movement towards and from the support 21 as by providing the base 20 with a guide 28, over which 22 slides, while a handle 29 pivoted on the base 21 is connected with 22 so that thesupport 22 with its elements 23 and 24 can be moved towards and from the support 21. The support 21 may also be mounted for adjustment towards and from 22 in a similar manner; this adjustment can, however, be an ordinary screw adjustment 30. The shoulder or tongue 10 is formed by a chisel 31 mounted for movement in a guide 32 and held against turning by the end of a set screw 33 engaging a slot in the shank of the chisel. The end of this chisel is formed, as shown in'Fig ures 5, 6 and 7, so as to move into the sole and strike up the shoulder or tongue 10 therefrom. The chisel is retracted by a spring 34 and has a roll 35 engaged by a cam'36, which cam serves to push the point of the chisel into the sole.

The machine is provided with a base 37 having a head 38 provided with a bracket 39 on which the base 20 is mounted and suitably bolted. The blocks 25 are secured to a crosshead 40 connected by a stirrup 41 with an arm 42 connected by a link 43 with a treadle 44 normally held in raised positionbya spring 45. Upon depression of the treadle, the cutters 24 will approach the elements 23 so-as to clamp the sole therebetween. A ram 46 .is, howeveni provided which slides vertically in the head 38 and is adapted to engage the cross-head 40 to depress the same and force the cutters through the sole. This ram is connected by a link 47 with a crank pin 48 on the cam disc 49 mountedi115 on a shaft .50 provided with a combined belt and flywheel 51 and connected therewith by a single revolution clutch 52, which, however, has a lost motion connection 53 with a link 54 connected with the treadle 44. It is this cam disc .120 49 on which the cam rise 36v is formed. This cam rise 36 is so located with reference to.;.the crank pin 48 that the rise 36 will engage the roll 35 to push the tip of the. chisel into the sole before the crank pin 48 has moved down'a125 sufficiently to cause the ram 46 to engage the cross-head 40.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

.After the breast line 9 has been marked on the sole, the shoe (and preferably while still on the; last) is placed between the supporting and cutting elements 23 so that the latter enter. the

crease between the upper and sole, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. This can be-readily accomplished onaccount of the tapered or beveled 1135 however, by manipulation of the handle 29, such entrance can readily be secured. The sole is now positioned with the breast line marking 9 in alinement with the edges of the supporting and cut-140 ting elements 23. The operator will now depress the treadle 44 until the elements 24 bite 'into the sole margin, and at this time the lost motion connection 53 will be about at the end of its movement, so that further movement2145 will cause tripping of the clutch.. This is, of

course, simply a safety precaution, so that the shoe may be manipulated to accurately position the breast line with respect to the edges of the cutting elements 24, if the operator has not as'2l50 yet become fully experienced. Further depression of the treadle will, in tripping the clutch, cause the shaft 50 to revolve. On account of the fact, however, that the cam rise 36 is in advance of the crank pin 48, the elements 24 will simply maintain their biting engagement with the sole margin so as to hold the same firmly while the chisel is pushed into the sole to strike up the shoulder or tongue 10; thereafter the crank will move to the lower limit of its position, so as to. cause the ram 46 to depress the cross-head, the blocks 25 and the cutting elements fully, so as to sever the pieces 11 from the sole margin. The machine will then come to stop after one revolution as is usual in machines having single revolution clutches.

It will, therefore, be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects. Process and mechanism are provided whereby a sole-locating shoulder will not only be formed accurately but expeditiously. This is due to the fact that'the sole is positioned with a definite point or line, such as the breast line, in an accurate position with reference to the forming element or chisel, and that the sole is held while operated upon by that element. Furthermore, the shoulders at the ends of the marginal recess are also accurately formed, not only with reference to the breast line, but also with reference to the heellocating shoulder or tongue. When the sole has, therefore, been prepared by the mechanism as described, the heel can not only be readily located, but the tongue struck up from the sole surface, as a means for holding the heel; while this tongue, being underneath the flap laid against the heel, is covered and concealed.

While the invention is particularly applicable for performing the operations described, it will be understood that this invention, as far as process and mechanism are concerned, is applicable for the performance of other operations, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It will furthermore be understood that certain features, steps and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features, steps and sub-combinations; that is contemplated by and is within the scope of the appended claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details of procedure and mechanism within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is, therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the details described and/or shown.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. The process of preparing the heel end of a sole, comprising, forming a narrow shoulder on the sole at the breast line and approximate the median line.

2. The process of preparing the heel end of a sole, comprising, cutting a narrow incision into the sole in a direction towards the toe so as to raise a shoulder centrally thereof adjacent the breast line.

3. The process of preparing the heel end of a sole while on a shoe, comprising, marginally supporting the sole in the crease between the sole and the upper and forming a narrow heellocating shoulder medially on the sole while so supported.

4. The process of preparing the heel end of a sole while on a shoe, comprising, positioning the sole with a definite point-thereon located with reference to a forming element, supporting the sole in the crease between the sole and the upper, clamping the sole at its margin when so positioned and moving the forming element to raise a shoulder on the sole at that point while so clamped.

5. The process of preparing the heel end of a sole, comprising, holding the sole with the breast line located by and with reference to a forming element, moving another forming element to raise a shoulder on the sole on that line while so positioned and moving the first forming element to cut the sole margin at the end of the breast line.

6. The process of preparing the heel end of a sole, comprising, clamping the sole margin at the ends of the breast line, forming a shoulder on the sole at the breast line and cutting through the sole margin at the points where it is clamped and in lines extending back of the breast line.

'7. A machine for preparing the heel end of a sole while on a shoe, comprising, means for supporting the sole and cutting means engaging the center part of the sole adapted to raise a narrow shoulder thereon while so supported.

8. A machine for preparing the heel end of a shoe, comprising, combined clamping and cut ting means positioned to clamp and cut through the sole margin, and means for raising a shoulder on the sole while so clamped.

9. A machine for preparing the heel end of a shoe, comprising, a chisel movable into the sole to raise a shoulder thereon, and combined clamping and cutting means positioned to clamp the sole while acted upon by said chisel and adapted to cut through the sole margin.

10. A machine for preparing the heel end of a shoe, comprising, a chisel movable into the sole to raise a shoulder thereon, combined clamping and cutting means positioned to clamp the sole while acted upon by said chisel and adapt-ed to cut through the sole margin, and means for adjusting said clamping and cutting means.

11. The process of preparing the heel end of a sole comprising, marginally supporting the sole by an element arranged to enter the rand crease and having its forward edge alined with the breast line, moving an element having a cutting edge in alinement with the breast line into engagement with the sole, manipulating another cutting element to prepare the sole in the region of the breast line, and further moving the first cutting element to shear off the marginal stock. at the breast line.

12. A machine for preparing the heel end of a sole on a shoe comprising, a support for the heel end of a sole, said support having a forward edge adapted for positioning at the breast line of a sole being operated upon, a cutting element movable in a direction normal to the supporting surface and having an edge alined with the forward edge of said support and cooperating therewith to shear off sole stock thereat, means for moving said cutting element downwardly toward and in shearing-relation past the forward edge of said support, and another cutting element arranged for movement longitudinally of the shoe for operating upon the sole in the region of the heel seat.

ARTHUR J. BRAUER. FREDERICK P. WAGNER. 

